A gay lawmaker today described growing up in Nebraska not being attracted to the boys her girlfriends thought were so cute but marrying a man anyway because well, that’s what she knew.
Rep. Sue Schafer, D-Wheat Ridge, has discussed her private life in recent days as lawmakers n the House debated a bill allowing gay couples to form civil unions. The measure passed Tuesday on a 39-26 vote, and Schafer then participated in a news conference with the legislature’s seven other gay lawmakers.
“When I was young I felt that I didn’t love all these boys that my girlfriends thought were so wonderful,” she said. “I was alone. I didn’t know any lesbian or gay women because I didn’t live in Greenwich Village. I was in Nebraska.”
Schafer said she married a rich prominent Republican, but over the years she met other lesbians and realized, “Oh dear, I have a wonderful husband, I have beautiful children, now what I do?”
Schafer said she still is good friends with her ex and loves him — like a brother. She has been with her current partner, Barb Nash, for 22 years.
“Some people in our body have said, ‘We don’t know anybody gay. We only know the eight of you in the General Assembly,’” she said. “So the more gay people come out to our family, our friends, our co-workers, people will realize we’re kind of normal people, not too exotic or anything.”
That produced some laughs, but Schafer added she believes she has helped to shatter gay stereotypes.